Poll panel tells Trinamool: Influence, don’t threaten officials.
Election Commission warns Trinamool against pressuring BLOs, orders secure CEO office, ensuring officials’ safety during voter list revision.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern warning to the Trinamool Congress (AITC) , cautioning the party against influencing or threatening Booth Level Officers (BLOs) The Commission stressed that BLOs, who are tasked with critical electoral duties such as verifying entries for deceased, shifted, or duplicate voters, must be allowed to perform their responsibilities without any external pressure or interference .
During a detailed meeting, the ECI addressed the concerns raised by the Trinamool delegation, dismissing what it termed “baseless allegations” . Officials emphasized that the party should submit any claims or objections only after December 9 , when the draft electoral list is officially released. Until then, the Commission directed that BLOs, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and District Election Officers (DEOs) — all of whom are state employees deputed for election-related work — must be allowed to function independently .
Security concerns also featured prominently in the discussion. The Commission noted recent breaches at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal , and instructed that the office be shifted to a more secure location . The ECI further directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to ensure comprehensive security at both the existing premises and the new office to prevent any untoward incidents.
The Trinamool leadership, led by Mamata Banerjee , responded strongly to the Commission’s directions. Banerjee demanded the ECI release full CCTV footage and all evidence it claims to have, arguing that partial disclosure would expose bad faith and raise questions about the Commission’s intentions. She claimed the party already possesses “enough digital evidence” to demonstrate that narratives surrounding the SIR process are being distorted through planted or fabricated leaks .
Banerjee’s statement struck a combative tone. “A few hours will always be too short—take as many days as you want to answer the five basic questions we placed before you,” she said, cautioning the ECI
If energy is available for planting stories, surely it can be redirected to answering the five simple questions. Your time starts NOW!”
The exchange highlights the tense environment surrounding voter list revisions in West Bengal and reflects the ongoing power struggle between the state leadership and the Election Commission. While the ECI emphasizes procedural compliance and the independence of electoral officers, the Trinamool is determined to challenge what it perceives as manipulation or misinformation , signaling a continuing standoff in the coming days.
This confrontation also underscores the critical balance of ensuring free and fair elections while managing political sensitivities, with both sides leveraging legal, administrative, and public channels to assert their positions. As the process unfolds, the focus will remain on maintaining the integrity of electoral operations while addressing security, transparency, and accountability concerns.